January 27, 2015

We are back from the Dominican after a wonderful two weeks in the sun.  Winter is my least favourite month, but it is nice to get back to family especially our granddaughter!

It was difficult to keep up with my courses and writing while away, nevertheless, I tried to do something everyday.  I forget where I read it now, but someone suggested attacking two creative tasks in a day in order not to be overwhelmed.  That seems to be working for me!

So yesterday, as well as babysitting Sophia, I managed to watch one of Gillian's videos for my art course.  There is so much information in her course, I'm not sure how well I will get through it all.  However, the ideas for exercises are excellent.  I have always found drawing faces difficult and her strategies for attacking that subject are next on my list of things to try.

Yesterday, I also focussed on my word for 2015 "balance".  So, I painted another picture, this time using acrylics.  I quite like how it turned out and will post it sometime this week (I hope)!

Sophia again today!!  Yay!

January 20, 2015

I feel like I have many pans in the fire right now with writing a book, taking a Kindle course, taking an art course, following Facebook posts for the groups I belong to, and performing in an upcoming play.  Not to mention being a Nana to my dear Sophia and the new little Knapper on the way.

Despite all of this, I feel like my word "balance" is helping to keep my head in the game without becoming too overwhelmed.  The beauty of my situation is that I am retired and don't really have a deadline for much of it.  So in a well used phrase, life is good.

January 19, 2015

Today is my mom's birthday!  Since losing her last August, it is hard to reach these important dates without feeling a little sad.  And so it goes . . .

John and I are still in the Dominican and enjoying the heat very much.  Nevertheless, I am trying to maintain balance by blogging, doing some artwork and writing.  It's all good.  The majority of my time is spent in the sun reading, but I am making space for these other pursuits as well.

This morning, I did Zumba in my room in an attempt to also keep some level of fitness going here.

January 15, 2015

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . and it was a lesson in balance.  We had a great excursion day yesterday and we didn't.  So . . . the weather was beautiful--we were the only English couple on the tour.  But got a chance to practice our French, and got more attention from the tour guide because he had to repeat everything of just us.  After leaving the boat at the end of the day . . . endless rum and cokes--the tourist police were there to check papers and, it seemed as though everything was a not up to snuff.  But the heartbreaker was that our bus driver ran over two dogs that decided to chase each other in the street.  It was clearly not his fault, but it certainly put a damper on everyone's day.  He obviously felt terrible and the pained yelps will be in my memory forever.  My empathic side was hit hard.

Did a oil pastel of my word "balance" and a still life in pencil.  Both are "OK", not great.

January 13, 2015

Today is my Dad's birthday and the anniversary of my Grammy's death.

Currently, I am enjoying the Dominican sun!!  It is difficult to keep up with the art, the blog, my word for 2015, the kindle course, the book, etc. etc.  I'm sure your hearts are bleeding for me right now.  I get one hour of internet a day.  But, I have documented some of the stuff that I want to accomplish despite being on holidays.

Hopefully, I will have a picture to upload  by tomorrow.  Life is tough!!

January 5, 2015

Today felt like a balanced day.  I had a wonderful morning with my granddaughter making pancakes and playing with her new easel.

After she left, I was able to catch up on a lot of things I have procrastinated with not the least of which is doing some research for the book, dealing with Students Crossing Borders business, catching up on correspondence, etc.. etc.  Cleaning up the studio has been an inspiration.

We leave for the Dominican on Sunday.  But I start an art e-course next week, start rehearsals for Hats--the Musical on the 27th and continue working on the book and other arts and crafts projects.  It's all good!!

January 4, 2015

Got the studio tidied, all the Christmas stuff put away and now have my granddaughter for a few babysitting days until we leave for the Dominican for a couple of weeks.

Am focussing on some of the research needed for the book, primarily on the film "Life or Debt" and various articles extolling the pros and cons of volunteer tourism. I am also taking an e-course on how to publish on Kindle. It feels good to get some of this creative work done! In the middle of the month, I will be starting an e-course in art with my friend Sasha. That is also exciting.

I auditioned for the play "Hats--the Musical" and was given the part of Princess. 2015 seems to be my year for investing in and balancing my creative pursuits. Yay!!

Emotional balance will be one of the challenges for 2015. There is always a fine "balance" between strict detachment and neediness. Wish me luck!

I always come back to "The Four Agreements" when I am seeking that kind of balance. For those of you not familiar with this book, I would highly recommend it.